BOSTON– Rebuilding Together Boston’s (RTB) Board announced that Janice Daue Walker is the organization’s full-time Executive Director. The RTB Board also announced the appointment of three new board members: Carolyn McGee, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation; Douglas Smith, Mortgage Network; and Nick Starusky, Gilbane Building Company.
Rebuilding Together Boston recently marked its 30th anniversary as the only non-profit in Boston to provide critical service projects at no cost to area homeowners and organizations.
“We are proud to announce Janice Walker will take the helm of Rebuilding Together Boston. She brings experience, energy, innovation, and a great commitment to collaborate and to make a difference for Boston homeowners in need. She is a welcome addition to Rebuilding Together Boston,” said RTB’s Board Co-Chair, Neil McCullagh.
Walker has more than 30 years’ experience in corporate, financial, and digital communications as well as nonprofit leadership. Janice was Vice President of Corporate Communications for the United States Postal Service in Washington, DC, held various communications positions with Fannie Mae, and founded her own consulting firm providing communications services for companies and nonprofits of all sizes. Walker was Co-Chair of the Rebuilding Together Boston board from 2013-2017, performed on Rebuilding Together’s National Board from 2003-2010 and served on a subcommittee of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. She is a member of The Boston Club and is a trustee of the Board of Visitors and Governors of Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland from which she received her B.A.
“The demand for Rebuilding Together Boston’s services is growing. We see an increased need from homeowners and other nonprofits, and we are fortunate to have Janice’s experience and leadership,” said Jeff Bonner, RTB Board Co-Chair. “In
addition, we are excited to have Carolyn, Doug and Nick join our Board. Each brings unique and necessary qualifications to Rebuilding Together Boston from understanding finance and the needs of our communities and experience in the construction industry. We are excited about the impact both Janice and our new board members will make with RTB.”
Carolyn McGee is a Certified HUD Housing Counselor with Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation for the past 6 and half years. She has over 25 years in the financial sector. She is a Community Service Professional with a solid background providing financial services, education, and self-empowerment tools for residents in the Boston area. Carolyn is also the lead Steward for the Ellington Street Food Forest Garden in Dorchester, MA. Under her leadership the garden has been a focal point to help eliminate food injustice in and around the Four Corner’s area. Carolyn has been featured in Edible Magazine Boston edition for her work in helping the transformation of the garden from a trashed fill vacant lock to a beautiful open space. Alternative for Community and Environment (ACE), recognized Carolyn as a volunteer of the year for her environmental justice work with youth. Most recently, she was recently spotlighted in Neighborworks.America annual report as a strong leader in their growth and mentorship program. Carolyn studied Economics at University of Boston and received numerous certifications.
Douglas N. Smith is Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Mortgage Network, Inc. Douglas is a mortgage banking finance attorney with more than 20 years’ experience building departments and functions including compliance and legal. Douglas is admitted before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts and to the Federal District Court, First Circuit. He was appointed by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks to serve as a member of the Boston Metropolitan Mortgagee Review Board. Most recently, Douglas is President of the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers (MMBA) Foundation, a philanthropic organization providing grants to non-profit organizations to promote affordable housing within the Commonwealth. He also was on the Compliance Committee of the MMBA and previously served on the Board of Directors for the MMBA. Douglas is on the Massachusetts Community & Banking Council CRA for Mortgage Lenders task force and has been a panelist on various industry topics. Douglas is a graduate of Emerson College and received his Juris Doctor from New England School of Law.
Nick is a Senior General Superintendent with Gilbane Building Company. Nick started in the business 28 years ago as a carpenter, laborer, and operator and now holds a dozen licenses related to construction. Many of the projects on which he has worked received national recognition. Most recently, Nick led Gilbane’s completion of 225 Wyman, a 500,000 square foot Class A Office and lab development with a 1500-car parking garage in Waltham. Nick is rejoining Rebuilding Together Boston’s board, where he previously served from 2013 to 2019 and led the program committee. He started working with RTB in 2000. Nick received his B.S. from Wentworth Institute of Technology where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of the Engineering Honor Society.
